COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC LABORS—PUBLISHES HIS VIEWS IN
PAMPHLET—INTERVIEW ON THE HUDSON RIVER BOAT—HIS REGARD FOR THE
BIBLE—CORRESPONDENCE—BECOMES A LICENSED PREACHER—LETTER ON
UNIVERSALISM—RECORD OF HIS LABORS.
“The public labors of Mr. Miller, according to the best evidence to be
obtained, date from the autumn of 1831. He had continued to be much
distressed respecting his duty to ‘go and tell it to the world,’ which
was constantly impressed on his mind. One Saturday, after breakfast, he
sat down at his desk to examine some point, and, as he arose to go out to
work, it came home to him with more force than ever, ‘Go and tell it to
the world.’ He thus writes:—
“‘The impression was so sudden, and came with such force, that
I settled down into my chair, saying, I can’t go, Lord. Why
not? seemed to be the response; and then all my excuses came
up—my want of ability, &c.; but my distress became so great, I
entered into a solemn covenant with God, that if he would open
the way, I would go and perform my duty to the world. What do
you mean by opening the way? seemed to come to me. Why, said I,
if I should have an invitation to speak publicly in any place I
will go and tell them what I find in the Bible about the Lord’s
coming. Instantly, all my burden was gone, and I rejoiced that
I should not probably be thus called upon; for I had never had
such an invitation. My trials were not known, and I had but
little expectation of being invited to any field of labor.
“‘In about half an hour from this time, before I had left the
room, a son of Mr. Guilford, of Dresden, about sixteen miles
from my residence, came in, and said that his father had sent
for me, and wished me to go home with him. Supposing that he
wished to see me on some business, I asked him what he wanted.
He replied that there was to be no preaching in their church
the next day, and his father wished to have me come and talk
to the people on the subject of the Lord’s coming. I was
immediately angry with myself for having made the covenant I
had; I rebelled at once against the Lord, and determined not to
go. I left the boy, without giving him any answer, and retired
in great distress to a grove near by. There I struggled with
the Lord about an hour, endeavoring to release myself from
the covenant I had made with him; but I could get no relief.
It was impressed upon my conscience, Will you make a covenant
with God, and break it so soon? and the exceeding sinfulness of
thus doing overwhelmed me. I finally submitted, and promised
the Lord that, if he would sustain me, I would go, trusting
in him to give me grace and ability to perform all he should
require of me. I returned to the house, and found the boy still
waiting. He remained till after dinner, and I returned with him
to Dresden.
“‘The next day, which, as nearly as I can remember, was about
the first Sabbath in August, 1831, I delivered my first public
lecture on the second advent. The house was well filled with
an attentive audience. As soon as I commenced speaking,
all my diffidence and embarrassment were gone, and I felt
impressed only with the greatness of the subject, which, by
the providence of God, I was enabled to present. At the close
of the services on the Sabbath, I was requested to remain and
lecture during the week, with which request I complied. They
flocked in from the neighboring towns; a revival commenced, and
it was said that in thirteen families all but two persons were
hopefully converted.
“‘On the Monday following, I returned home, and found a letter
from Eld. Fuller, of Poultney, Vt., requesting me to go and
lecture there on the same subject. They had not heard of my
going to Dresden. I went to Poultney, and lectured there with
similar effect.
“‘From thence I went by invitation to Pawlet, and other towns
in that vicinity. The churches of Congregationalists, Baptists,
and Methodists, were thrown open. In almost every place I
visited, my labors resulted in the reclaiming of backsliders,
and the conversion of sinners. I was usually invited to fields
of labor by the ministers of the several congregations whom
I visited, who gave me their countenance; and I have never
labored in any place to which I was not previously invited. The
most pressing invitations from the ministry and the leading
members of the churches poured in continually from that time,
during the whole period of my public labors, and with more than
one-half of which I was unable to comply. Churches were thrown
open everywhere, and I lectured, to crowded houses, through the
western part of Vermont, the northern part of New York, and in
Canada East; and powerful reformations were the result of my
labor.’
“Soon after he began to lecture on the subject, Mr. Miller began to
be importuned to write out and publish his view. In a letter to Elder
Hendryx, dated January 25, 1832, he says:—
“‘I have written a few numbers on the coming of Christ and the
final destruction of the beast, when his body shall be given to
the burning flame. They may appear in the Vermont _Telegraph_;
if not, in pamphlet form. They are written in letters to Elder
Smith of, Poultney, and he has liberty to publish.’
“On the same occasion, he adds: ‘I am more and more astonished at the
harmony and strength of the word of God; and the more I read, the more I
see of the folly of the infidel in rejecting this word.’
“The articles referred to were sent as anonymous to the editor of the
_Telegraph_, who declined their publication unless informed of the name
of the writer. This being communicated to him, they appeared, in a series
of sixteen articles, over the initials of W. M. The first article was
published in the paper of May 15, 1832, and they caused much conversation
and discussion.
“Soon after this, he addressed another letter to Elder Hendryx, which
is so quaintly written, contains so much of general interest, and is so
illustrative of his habits of thought and modes of expression, that it is
here given:—
“‘HAMPTON, MARCH 26, 1832.
“‘DEAR BRO. HENDRYX:—I received your favor of the 19th inst.
day before yesterday, and should have begun to answer it then,
but, on coming home, I found Bro. D. at my house, a licentiate
from Hamilton, who came on purpose to learn these strange
notions of “crazy Miller,” or at least to save Bro. Miller,
if possible, from going down to the grave with such an error.
He was a stranger to me; but, after he introduced himself, we
went to work, night and day, and he has just left me,—Monday,
3 o’clock P. M. He has got his load, and, as he says, he never
was so loaded before.
“‘You may say this is boasting. No, no, Bro. Hendryx, you
know better. I only made him read the Bible, and I held the
concordance. No praise to me; give God the glory. At any rate,
he will find it hard to resist the truth. He wants me to let
him come and board with me, two or three months, to study the
Bible. He is a young man, of brilliant talents; he preached two
sermons here yesterday, and they were very well done. I have
somebody to labor with almost daily. I have been into Poultney,
and some other places, to lecture on the coming of Christ;
and, in every instance, I have had large assemblies. There is
increasing anxiety on the subject in this quarter; but they
will see greater signs of these times soon, so that Christians
will believe in his coming and kingdom. The harvest is about
closing up, and the wrath of God is about to be poured upon our
world. Pestilence, sword, and famine, will succeed each other
in swift succession, and the kingdoms of this world will soon
be destroyed by the “stone cut out of the mountain without
hands.” Yes, brother, it will soon be over when sinners can be
converted. I would, therefore, advise you to lead your hearers
by slow and sure steps to Jesus Christ.
“‘I say _slow_, because I expect all are not strong enough
to run yet; and _sure_, because the Bible is a sure word;
and where your hearers are not well indoctrinated, you must
preach _Bible_; you must prove all things by _Bible_; you must
talk _Bible_; you must exhort _Bible_; you must pray _Bible_;
and love _Bible_; and do all in your power to make others
love _Bible_, too. One great means to do good is to make your
parishioners sensible that you are in earnest, and fully and
solemnly believe what you preach. If you wish your people to
feel, feel yourself. If you wish them to believe as you do,
show them, by your constant assiduity in teaching, that you
sincerely wish it. You can do more good by the fireside, and in
your conference circles, than in the pulpit. Pulpit preaching
is, and has long been, considered as no more than a trade.
“Why, he is hired to preach!—he must, of course, tell a good
story,” &c., &c. And the very reason why there is more good
done in conference meetings and protracted meetings is simply
this: The god of this world is shut out. They will say, He
expects nothing for this; surely our salvation is his anxious
desire. Reflections of this sort make strong impressions of
conviction on the mind. If this man of God will make so much
sacrifice, surely I ought to think, at least, how much my
brother has my benefit in view in his preaching....
“‘_May 20, 1832._ It is now almost two months since I began
this letter, and I ought to make some apology for my long
neglect. But I hate apologies; for we never tell the whole
truth. You have, undoubtedly, seen, or will see, two numbers
in the _Telegraph_ before you receive this letter. A number
more will soon follow. I expect it will start some queries, if
nothing more. There is much opposition expressed by some who
ought to have taught the same things. But people will think
and reflect; and truth will in the end prevail. Do come, on the
13th and 14th of June, to our Association. I expect Bro. Sawyer
will be ordained then. _Do come._ I have much to say to you;
but I cannot write as I wish....
“‘I have just come from a prayer-meeting this morning, at our
school-house, at sunrise. We are praying for the second coming
of our dear Redeemer, when the “sanctuary will be cleansed.”
Pray with us, my brother. I am more and more satisfied that the
end of the world is at hand. The evidence flows in from every
quarter. “The earth is reeling to and fro, like a drunkard.”
One short year ago, and Zion was rejoicing with her multiplied
converts; now she is down “by the cold streams of Babylon.” One
year since, and we were enjoying a plentiful harvest; now we
are sleeping in the cold, and the staff of life is neglected.
Is the harvest over and past? If so, soon, very soon, God will
arise in his anger, and the vine of the earth will be reaped.
See, see!—the angel with his sharp sickle is about to take the
field! See yonder trembling victim fall before his pestilential
breath! High and low, rich and poor, trembling and falling
before the appalling grave, the dreadful cholera.
“‘Hark!—hear those dreadful bellowings of the angry nations! It
is the presage of horrid and terrific war. Look!—look again!
See crowns, and kings, and kingdoms tumbling to the dust! See
lords and nobles, captains and mighty men, all arming for the
bloody, demon fight! See the carnivorous fowls fly screaming
through the air! See—see these signs! Behold, the heavens grow
black with clouds; the sun has veiled himself; the moon, pale
and forsaken, hangs in middle air; the hail descends; the seven
thunders utter loud their voices; the lightnings send their
vivid gleams of sulphurous flame abroad; and the great city
of the nations falls to rise no more forever and forever! At
this dread moment, look! look!—O, look and see! What means
that ray of light? The clouds have burst asunder; the heavens
appear; the great white throne is in sight! Amazement fills
the universe with awe! He comes!—he comes! Behold, the Saviour
comes! Lift up your heads, ye saints,—he comes!—he comes!—he
comes!
“‘WM. MILLER.’
“A letter written about the same time with the above, to a sister of Mr.
Miller’s whose husband was a Universalist, is particularly severe on
those sentiments. Beginning with subjects of mere family interest, he
proceeds to those of a religious; and, in speaking of the nearness of the
advent, he says:—
“‘I now tell you that I am more and more convinced of its
truth. I have lectured on it, in a number of places this
winter, and many people believe that the calculation is right.
Some are afraid of it, and others will not believe; but among
them all it makes a great deal of talk. Some say Esq. Miller
is crazy; others, that he is a fool—and neither of them are
wide from the truth. But Bro. J. and sister A. will say, “We
wish Bro. William would let that subject alone. We do not want
to hear so much about Christ’s second coming, the end of the
world, the judgment-day, and the destruction of the wicked. He
knows no more about it than the man in the moon.” So say I. But
the Bible tells us; and that will never fail. You will see,
within a few weeks, some numbers in the _Vermont Telegraph_,
signed W. M. Read, and then judge. If it is not printed in the
paper, I will send it to you in pamphlet form. I think it will
be printed, at any rate.
“‘I want to know if J⸺ is a Universalist yet; and, if so,
whether he can tell me who are the partakers of the second
death, and what the second death is? You will find the
description of them in Rev. 20th chapter, and 21:8. Be sure you
are not deceived, Bro. J.; for the time is shortly coming that
will try every man’s work, whether it be good or evil; and if
you love the Lord Jesus, show your love by believing his word,
and being reconciled to his word and will. How little love to
Christ do we show when we are unreconciled to his justice,
his word, or the righteous judgment of God on the finally
impenitent! Yes, brother; it is not contrary to the carnal
mind of man to be happy, _if_ we can be happy in our own way.
Neither should we be very angry with God, if he made all others
so, if we thought that was the _only_ hope for us. But if the
Universalists could contrive any plan that would be plausible,
to save themselves and condemn the Calvinists, or those who
preach endless misery, their actions show that they would do
it quickly; or why do they rail at those who preach as Christ
did? “Except a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of
God.” “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.”
Why do they oppose those meetings where souls are brought to
cry out, as in the days of the apostles, “Men and brethren,
what shall we do to be saved?” Did you ever hear such a cry in
a Universalist meeting—where brethren and sisters were all
together in prayer, with one accord praying and agonizing for
the souls of their brethren according to the flesh? No!
“‘Do you think they are fools, brother William? You know they
do not believe in damnation. They preach _all men_ will be
saved.’ ‘Ah, ha! What fools the apostles were! If they had
preached thus they would have saved many a bitter cry; and
Father Paul might have saved himself many a bitter groan in
endeavoring to save his kinsmen according to the flesh, and not
have wished himself accursed from Christ for their sakes. I
really wish—if it is true that all men will be saved—that Paul
had known it before he made that expression, that he might save
“_some_,” when he might have said that he had the promise of
God that “_all_” would be saved. Paul must have been as crazy
as Bro. William. Oh, how many long arguments it would have
saved, how many twistings of texts, and windings and turnings,
if Paul, Peter, John, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Jude, and even
Christ, had not said anything about two classes of mankind in a
future state, and nothing about punishment being everlasting!
But the Universalist is wiser than all these, now-a-days; for
they do not preach so now, do they J⸺?
WM. MILLER.
“‘_March 27, 1832._’
“During the summer of 1832, Mr. Miller appears to have been much engaged
in attending protracted meetings, which were at that time very common
in many parts of the country. Under date of ‘Hampton, Oct. 1, 1832,’ he
wrote to Elder Hendryx:—
“‘... When your letter arrived, I was attending a protracted
meeting in Westport; and the next day after I got home I went
to Poultney to attend one there. I went to Keesville to attend
one as soon as we left Poultney, and only arrived home last
Saturday.... I have spent a great share of my time in attending
protracted meetings this summer and fall.’
“In the same letter he thus exhibits his fondness for the Bible, and
points out the great doctrines which he believed it inculcated:—
“‘I want to see you more than ever, and when we have less
company. The light is continually breaking in; and I am
more and more confirmed in those things of which I told
you, namely, redemption by grace; the efficacy of Christ’s
blood; justification by his righteousness imputed to us;
sanctification through the operation of the divine Spirit;
and the glorification by our gathering together unto him at
his appearing. I also believe those things to be founded
upon election, particular, personal, and certain; governed
by the mind, will, and plan of God, which was, is, and will
be eternal; and which is revealed to us so far as to give us
confidence, hope, and full assurance that nothing in the divine
plan, either of the means or end, can or will fail of their
accomplishment.’
“The church in Low Hampton being destitute of a pastor, in a letter to
the same, dated Nov. 17, 1832, Mr. Miller describes the kind of minister
they wished for:—
“‘We do not want one who thinks much of his own gifts, and is
lifted up with pride; neither do we want a novice—I mean, a
fool; one who knows nothing about the gospel of Christ. We want
one who will stir up our minds, will visit, is good to learn,
apt to teach, modest, unassuming, pious, devotional, and
faithful to his calling. If his natural talents are brilliant,
with those qualifications, they would not hurt him. If they
are only moderate, they may do well enough for us. Some of
our people want “a quick gab.” But I should prefer a quick
understanding.... I set out for Salem to-morrow morning.’
“In a letter to the same, dated Hampton, Feb. 8, 1833, he writes: ‘The
Lord is scattering the seed. I can now reckon eight ministers who preach
this doctrine, more or less, besides yourself. I know of more than one
hundred private brethren who say that they have adopted my views. Be that
as it may, “truth is mighty and will prevail.” If I should get my views
printed, how many can you dispose of, in pamphlet form?... Our people are
about giving me a license to lecture. I hardly know what to do. I am too
old, too wicked, and too proud. I want your advice. Be plain, and tell me
the whole truth.’
“Shortly after, he published his views, in a pamphlet of sixty-four
pages, entitled: ‘Evidences from Scripture and History of the Second
Coming of Christ, about the year 1843; and of his Personal Reign of One
Thousand Years. By William Miller. “Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21. Brandon, Vermont, _Telegraph_ Office,
1833.’
“Soon after the publication of this pamphlet, he had occasion to visit
the city of New York. As he was passing down the Hudson, in a steamboat,
a company of men standing near him were conversing respecting the
wonderful improvements of the day. One of them remarked that it was
impossible for things to progress for thirty years to come in the same
ratio as they had done; ‘for,’ said he, ‘man will attain to something
more than human.’ Mr. Miller replied to him that it reminded him of Dan.
12:4, ‘Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’
A pause ensuing, Mr. M. continued, and observed that the improvements
of the present day were just what we should expect at this time in the
fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy. He then commenced with the 11th chapter
of Daniel, and, comparing the prophecy with the history, showed its
fulfillment, all listening with close attention.
“He then remarked, that he had not intended trespassing so long on their
patience, and, leaving them, walked to the other end of the boat. The
entire company followed, and wished to hear more on the subject. He then
took up the 2d, 7th, 8th, and 9th, chapters of Daniel. His hearers wished
to know if he had ever written on the subject. He told them that he had
published the above pamphlet, and distributed among them what copies he
had with him.
“This was one of his first audiences, and some gentlemen of high
standing listened to his remarks. He scattered the most of his pamphlets
gratuitously, sending them as a response to letters of inquiry respecting
his views, and to places which he could not visit. Under date of April
10, 1833, in writing to Elder Hendryx, and speaking of the evil of
resorting to excommunication from the church for slight causes, in view
of a particular case, he says:—
“‘Is the remedy better than the disease? Should we cut off
a man’s leg because he has a thorn in his toe? I think not.
Should we set a wheat field on fire and burn the whole crop,
because of a few tares in the field? No; let both grow until
the harvest. Oh, how much injury is done in church discipline!
The hypocrite uses it as a tool to make others think that he
is very pious. The envious use it as a weapon to bring down
those they imagine are getting above them. The bigot uses it to
bring others to his faith; and the sectarian, to bring others
to his creed, &c. But, my dear brother, how many difficulties
do you think we have in our churches where the spirit of
Christ is manifested through the whole trial, or where it
began with “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they
do”? Therefore, I can frankly and honestly say that the remedy
which has been applied to cure this moral disease is worse, a
thousand times worse, than the original cause.’
“In the same letter, he says: ‘We have no preacher, as yet,
except the old man [Mr. M.] with his concordance. Last Sunday
I tried to hold forth the truth from Isa. 65:25; the Sabbath
before, from the same chapter, verses 17-19. I wish I had the
tongue of an Apollos, and the mental power of a Paul; what a
field might I not explore; and what powerful arguments might be
brought to prove the authenticity of the Scriptures! But I want
one thing more than either—the Spirit of Christ and of God; for
he is able to take worms and thresh mountains. O my brother,
let us pray for each other, especially on the Sabbath, each
that the Lord would bestow this gift of the Holy Spirit upon
the other. Peradventure the Lord will answer.’
“In the same letter he thus expresses his regard for the word
of God: ‘O may the Bible be to us a rock, a pillar, a compass,
a chart, a statute, a directory, a polar star, a traveler’s
guide, a pilgrim’s companion, a shield of faith, a ground
of hope, a history, a chronology, an armory, a store-house,
a mirror, a toilet, a closet, a prayer-book, an epistle, a
love letter, a friend, a foe, a revenue, a treasury, a bank,
a fountain, a cistern, a garden, a lodge, a field, a haven,
a sun, a moon, a star, a door, a window, a light, a lamp, a
luminary, a morning, a noon, an evening, an hour-glass, a
daysman, a servant.
“‘It is meat, food, drink, raiment, shelter, warmth, heat,
a feast, fruit, apples, pictures, wine, milk, honey, bread,
butter, oil, refreshment, rest, strength, stability, wisdom,
life, eyes, ears, hands, feet, breath; it is a help to
hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, understanding,
forgiving, loving, hoping, enjoying, adoring, and saving; it
teaches salvation, justification, sanctification, redemption,
and glorification; it declares condemnation, destruction and
desolation; it tells us what we were, are, and shall be; begins
with the beginning, carries us through the intermediate, and
ends only with the end; it is past, present, and to come; it
discovers the first great cause, the cause of all effects,
and the effects of all causes; it speaks of life, death, and
judgment, body, soul, and spirit, Heaven, earth, and hell; it
makes use of all nature as figures, to sum up the value of the
gospel; and declares itself to be the Word of God. And your
friend and brother believes it.
“‘WILLIAM MILLER.
“‘_Hampton, April 10, 1833._’
“In the autumn of this year, Mr. Miller received a license to preach,
from the church of which he was a member, as follows:—
“‘Let brotherly love continue: the Baptist church of Christ, in
Hampton and Whitehall, do certify that Bro. William Miller is
a member in regular standing in this church. Bro. Miller has
been improving his gifts with us in expounding the words of
divine truth in public, for some time past, to the approbation
and edification of the church. We are satisfied that Bro.
Miller has a gift to improve in public, and are willing he
should improve the same wherever his lot may be cast among the
Zion of God, that the name of the Lord may be glorified, and
his followers edified. Done in church meeting, Saturday, Sept.
14, 1833. By order of the church.
“‘(Signed) BYRON S. HARLOW,
“‘_Clerk, pro tem._’
“In a letter to his sister, before referred to, written two days
subsequent to the date of the above, and dated, ‘Low Hampton, Sept. 16,
1833,’ he speaks of the above license, and of his labors, as follows:—
“‘I have just returned from Dresden, where I have been to spend
a Sabbath, and to preach to them the word of life. My texts,
yesterday, were Hosea 13:1; Isa. 61:7; and Ps. 102:16.... I
do feel anxious to come and see you; and, if the Lord will,
and your people should not object, to try to speak to them
of the things of the kingdom. My brethren have given me a
license—unworthy and old, and disobedient as I am. Oh, to grace
how great a debtor!’
“He then proceeds with matters of mere family interests, and closes with
the following exhortation to his brother-in-law, respecting the doctrine
of Universalism:—
“‘Just as sure as the word of God is _true_, depend upon it,
universal salvation is _not_ true. Was this what David saw when
he saw the end of the wicked? Enter into the sanctuary of your
own conscience, my brother, and you will find, “NO,” responded
with appalling force. Enter into the sanctuary of God’s word,
and, in every page, you will have to meet this little word,
“NO,” or declarations as plain. “Strive to enter in at the
strait gate; for _many_ shall seek to enter in, and shall _not_
be able.”
“‘Look at Dan. 12:9, 10; here we have the _end_ described.
What does conscience say? Be careful, my brother; remember
that eternal consequences hang on your decision; and what is
the answer? “Many [not all] shall be purified, and made white,
and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and _none_ of the
wicked shall understand.” See Mal. 4:1-3. Where are the wicked,
the proud, and all that do wickedly? Do they enjoy the healing
beams of the Sun of Righteousness? No. Again, in Matt. 13:49,
50. Are the wicked permitted to dwell with the just? Is Heaven
and happiness their abode? Enter into the sanctuary, and what
do you hear? No! _No!_
“‘Again, in Matt. 25:12, 30, and 46. Do the foolish virgins
enter in to the marriage supper? or are they ever married to
the Lamb? _No!_ Is the unprofitable servant “in light and
glory”? No! _No!_ And are the goats enjoying the same communion
with the sheep? or are they going “into life eternal”? No!
_No!_ NO! Read, again, Rom. 1:18, to the fifth verse of the
second chapter. Would it be unjust for God to condemn the
characters there described? Your judgment tells you, _No!_ Your
conscience responds the same answer, _No!_ Your tongue must
_one day_ answer, NO! For every tongue must and will confess
to the glory of God. O my brother, enter into the sanctuary
and knock while the door may be opened; seek while you may
find; look while you may live; and you will most assuredly
learn “_their end_.” All the plausible reasoning of all the
Universalists under the whole canopy of heaven cannot save _one
soul_. “Except a man is born of the Spirit he cannot enter the
kingdom of God.”’
“During the fall of 1833, and the ensuing winter, Mr. Miller seems to
have been constantly occupied in lecturing in Dresden and other towns
in New York and Vermont. The very modest estimate which he had of his
own abilities and qualifications as a preacher, is apparent in all his
correspondence, where any reference is made to his public labors. In
writing to Eld. Hendryx, under date of Low Hampton, Feb. 25, 1834, he
says:—
“‘You have undoubtedly heard that I have been trying to
_preach_ (as some call it) about in this vicinity. I have
been laboring, it is true, in my weak manner, in Dresden, two
or three months; and the Lord has seen fit to bless us with
a little reformation. I have likewise preached in Putnam,
Wrentham, Poultney, and in this place. You laugh, Bro. Hendryx,
to think old Bro. Miller is preaching! But laugh on; you are
not the only one that laughs; and it is all right—I deserve it.
If I could preach the truth, it is all I could ask.’
“Being now recognized as a regularly licensed preacher his brother
Hendryx naturally addressed him as the ‘Rev. William Miller.’ To a letter
thus directed, Mr. Miller, under date of ‘Hampton, March 22, 1834,’ thus
replied:—
“‘DEAR BRO. HENDRYX:—I wish you would look into your Bible and
see if you can find the word Rev. applied to a sinful mortal
like myself; and govern yourself accordingly.... Let us be
determined to live and die on the Bible. God is about to rise
and punish the inhabitants of the world. The proud, the high,
the lofty, must be brought low; and the humble, the meek, and
the contrite, will be exalted. Then, what care I for what the
world calls great or honorable? Give me Jesus, and a knowledge
of his word, faith in his name, hope in his grace, interest in
his love, and let me be clothed in his righteousness, and the
world may enjoy all the high-sounding titles, the riches it can
boast, the vanities it is heir to, and all the pleasures of
sin; and they will be no more than a drop in the ocean.
“‘Yes, let me have Jesus Christ, and then vanish all earthly
toys. What glory has God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ!
In him all power centers. In him all power dwells. He is the
evidence of all truth, the fountain of all mercy, the giver of
all grace, the object of all adoration, and the source of all
light; and I hope to enjoy him to all eternity. What! such a
sinful wretch as I enjoy Christ? How can this be? Yes, yes;
through the electing love of God, the sprinkling of the blood
of the covenant, and the work of regeneration, such a sinner
as I may be cleansed from sin, purified, and made white, and
glorified in the New Jerusalem, together with him, and with all
who love our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and who love his
appearing.
“‘Bro. H., shall you and I appear together in that general
assembly and church of the first-born? If God will, I hope we
shall there meet, to part no more. How can I realize the glory
that will there be manifested? And how could I bear the thought
to be banished from the face of Jesus, and from the glory of
his power? Forbid it, O my Redeemer! Forbid! and let grace
reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ
our Lord.’
“The same devotional feelings are manifest in all his epistles, and also
evince that he experienced nearness of access to God, and great religious
enjoyment.
“Mr. Miller kept no journal, nor any record of the places he visited,
till October, 1834. Beginning at a place called ‘The Forks,’ supposed to
be ‘Moore’s Forks’ in Clinton County, N. Y., the names of places where,
the dates when, and the texts from which, he preached, are given in two
small memorandum-books as follows:—
“PLACE. TIME. TEXT. TEXT.
Forks, N. Y., Oct. 1. Luke 15:18. Rev. 8:13.
Keesville, N. Y., ” 5. Rev. 1:20. Job 23:24.
Beekmantown, ” 6. Dan. 8:13, 14. ” 10:14.
Plattsburgh, ” 8. Dan. 8:13, 14. Rev. 20:6.
Keesville, ” 11. 1 Cor. 3:11.
” ” 12. Rom. 8:6, 7. Luke 15:18.
Westport, ” 14. Dan. 8:13, 14. ” 10:14.
” ” 15. Rev. 20:6.
“After visiting the above places, he returned home to Low Hampton, and
soon after wrote to Eld. Hendryx, as follows:—
“‘NORTH HAMPTON, OCT. 23, 1834.
“‘MY DEAR BROTHER HENDRYX:—Your favor of Sept. 17 came to hand
while I was absent on a tour into Clinton County, of about
six weeks. I gave thirty-six lectures on the second coming of
Christ, was at two covenant meetings, attended two protracted
meetings in said time, saw a number of new-born babes in
Christ; and now, being at home, I shall write to Bro. H. and
rest myself a little.
“‘I am every day more convinced that the whole word of God
is given for our instruction, reproof, and correction; and
that the prophecies contain the strongest evidences of the
divinity and truth of the Bible; and present to saint and
sinner the strongest motives for a holy life, and repentance
and faith toward God, that can be produced. When John preached
repentance, he prophesied that the kingdom of Heaven was at
hand, as a principal motive. The apostles prophesied that God
had appointed a day, in which he would judge the world in
righteousness, by that man, Jesus Christ; and your unworthy
brother in Christ proclaims that the day is at hand, when “he
that is filthy will be filthy still, and he that is holy will
be holy still;” and that Christ is now standing at the door and
knocking for the last time. And, my dear brother, I can truly
say that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
And yet how many professed ministers of Christ, at the present
day, treat that part of the word with total neglect, and even
laugh and jeer at those who would warn the people of their
approaching danger. But God has supported me beyond my most
sanguine expectation. And although they say much before they
hear, yet when they do hear they seem confounded.
“‘The evidence is so clear, the testimony is so strong, that we
live on the eve of the present dispensation, toward the dawn
of the _glorious day_, that I wonder why ministers and people
do not wake up and trim their lamps. Yes, my brother, almost
two years since you heard the news, “_Behold, the bridegroom
cometh!_”—and yet you cry, A little more sleep, a little more
slumber. Blame not your people if they go to sleep under your
preaching. You have done the same. Bear with me, my brother. In
every letter you have written me, you have promised to study
this all-important subject, and in every letter you confess
your negligence. The day draws near. More than one-sixth of
the time is gone since my brother Hendryx promised, and yet
asleep! O God, forgive him! Are you waiting for all the world
to wake up before you dare get up? Where has your courage fled?
Awake! awake! O sluggard! Defend your own castle, or take sides
with the word of God; _destroy_ or _build_. You must not, you
cannot, you shall not be neutral. Awake! awake! Tell Deacon
Smith to help wake you. Tell him, for me, to shake you, and not
give out shaking, until Bro. H. will put on the whole armor of
light.
“‘In every church where I have lectured on this important
subject, many, very many, seem to awake, rub open their eyes,
and then fall back to sleep again. But the enemy is waking up.
In one town (North Beekmantown) I received a letter, the day
after my first lecture, from some bullies and blackguards, that
if I did not clear out of the State, they would put me where
the dogs could never find me. The letter was signed by ten of
them. I stayed, and, blessed be God! he poured out his Spirit,
and began a work which gainsayers could not resist.
“‘Some ministers try to persuade their people not to hear me;
but the people will go, and every additional lecture will bring
an additional multitude, until their meeting-houses cannot
hold them. Depend upon it, my brother, God is in this thing;
and he will be glorified; and blessed be his holy name! Do pray
for me, my brother, that I may have grace equal to my need, and
that I may always see my need, feel my weakness, and be kept
humble, and that I may always declare the truth. _Do pray!_
“‘I think, if the Lord will, I shall be in your section of
country next spring or summer. Do give me a list of some
brethren between here and your place, if you can.
“‘I remain yours in Christ,
“‘WILLIAM MILLER.’
“Two days subsequent to the date of the above, Mr. M. was again in the
field; and, according to his memorandum-book, gave lectures as follows:
Oct. 25 and 26, at Paulet, Vt.; Nov. 6, 8, and 9, at Orwell, Vt.; 10 and
12, Cornwall, Vt.; and Nov. 16, in Hampton, N. Y. His success in the
above places is indicated in the following extract from a letter which he
wrote Elder Hendryx from Low Hampton, on the 28th of Nov., 1834:—
“‘I have had good success since I wrote you before. The Lord
has been with me. I have been into a number of towns in
Vermont. Some old, hardened rebels have been brought to plead
for mercy, even before my course of lectures was finished.
Blessed be the holy name of God! He has given me more than
I should have dared to ask. How good, my brother, it is to
preach, having God for paymaster! He pays down. He pays in
souls. He paid the Shepherd thus, and he was satisfied; will he
not pay his servants too? Yes, yes. Bless his name, O my soul,
for all his benefits!
“‘I find that studious Christians are the best hearers: and the
reason is obvious. The more we know of mankind, the less room
there is for bigotry, superstition, and prejudice. Those are
evils always attending ignorance.’